BUFFALO, N.Y. — Local members of the American Association of University Professors are on Friday applied pressure to Canisius University administration.
"Firstly, we haven't had a real cost of living increase, let alone a raise in over a decade, our benefits have been slashed," said AAUP-AFT member and Canisius professor, Girish Shambu.
Not only calling for compensation they say they deserve, but they are also opposing a $15 million proposed budget cut announced by the university earlier this month in the face of a $7 million deficit.
"We're seriously worried that this going to impact quality education to our students," Shambu said.
The concerns today were not only voiced by faculty.
"We need to make sure that faculty is being taken care and that programs aren't being taken away so that we can support ourselves and also future Griffs," senior Brianna Nosal said.
What would a "shared governance" look like to professors?
"We did pass a resolution in faculty senate saying that whatever budget plan was ultimately discussed, that the faculty senate should have the right, as part of the shared governance structure, to vote on that before it becomes operationalized," AAUP President Tanya Loughead said.
That senate resolution starkly criticized the university, saying that "we have no evidence that the current administration understands what shared governance is, nor how to conduct it."
In a statement provided Friday evening to 2 On Your Side, the university responded to these claims, saying in part: "Canisius university remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining open and constructive dialogue with our faculty through established governance mechanisms as we work together in shared dedication to our mission."